Injuries have not been kind to the Los Angeles Lakers in recent years. Last year, they lost an astounding 319 games to injury and this season hasn’t gotten off to the best start either, especially in the backcourt.
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Nick Young tore a thumb ligament and will be out eight weeks, Jordan Clarkson strained his calf in Thursday’s preseason game against the Golden State Warriors and Jeremy Lin sprained his ankle in practice today. The Lakers may be getting help soon however as Xavier Henry scrimmaged for the first time this training camp according to Eric Pincus of the LA Times:
Xavier Henry scrimmaging – which is notable – he's been out all of camp
— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) October 11, 2014
If Henry is to return soon, it will give the Lakers a huge boost, especially with Young gone for a while. Henry would give the team another scorer and ball-handler and with the injuries that have come down on the backcourt, Henry’s return could off-set some things.
With the recent injury to Lin, Clarkson out for at least a week and Steve Nash always a question mark health-wise, the point guard position is getting thin. Henry could fill in at point guard like he did at times last season.
Last season was a breakout year for Henry as he posted career highs in points, rebounds, assists, steals and field goal percentage. Unfortunately he played in only 43 games last year, something he is looking to increase now that he is healthy this year.
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